School officials look for ways to accommodate more pupils

The OSFC has agreed to give a free assessment of South Range facilities.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NORTH LIMA -- The South Range School District has just enough room to accommodate its 1,330 pupils.
But school officials said they are looking more closely at steps they may have to take to accommodate anticipated growth spurts during the next few years.
"We'll have to put the students somewhere," said schools superintendent James Hall. "We're just about full now."
Beaver Township officials have said they expect to see a population boom in the area, specifically an increase in the number of families with school-age children.
Two new housing developments -- the Lakes of Beaver and Landings developments on Sharrott Road -- combined could accommodate about 100 single-family dwellings initially, with potential for growth at each of those sites.
Township officials said other residential housing developments also are being proposed.
"We expect to see more and more people, especially families, moving into the area," said Michele Swope, township zoning inspector. "We know it's likely the school district will have to expand to meet those needs and demands."
Assessment
The school board recently asked the Ohio School Facilities Commission for its assistance in the matter. The commission provides funding, management oversight and technical assistance to local school districts for the construction and renovation of school facilities. The OSFC has agreed to provide a free assessment of South Range's current facilities.
South Range officials have talked about constructing a new building either behind the current high school or near the district's baseball fields on state Route 46. Hall said cost estimates and financing options for such a venture are not yet available.
"We know we will need more room," the superintendent said. "We're looking at what we have and what might be needed based on the anticipated growth in the township. We're looking at how we can accommodate these families and provide an education for these children that likely will be coming into the school district."
Last year, the school district purchased a building that formerly housed a branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. The building is near the high school, and school property surrounds much of it.
The structure is being used for storage and various activities, and Hall has said he foresees moving several high school classes to that building.